Edo: Police round up 56 cult leaders, members

Barely 48 hours after the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, had dispatched a crack squad to Edo State to check the rising wave of crime, cult clashes and others, reports indicate that no fewer than 56 suspected cultists linked to the recent cult related violence in the state are now in police net.

The criminals, according to police sources, are said to be undergoing interrogation.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon E. Arase, had deployed Special Crack Squad to tame troublesome cultism-related violent crimes in the state following appeals by residents who had also carpeted the commissioner of police in the state, accusing him of incompetence.

“The Special Crack Squad designated for the assignment, has on 12th May 2015 through vigorous intelligence, arrested Eleven (11) highly placed persons from different locations of the state who are ring leaders of cult groups linked to recent cult related killings in the state.

“At the moment, a total of fifty-six (56) suspected vicious cultists linked to the recent cult related violence in the state have been rounded up by the Squad and are undergoing interrogation,” the police report stated.

The IGP reiterated that no criminal will be spared, no matter how highly placed.

“The Police High Command graciously appreciates the collaborative efforts of the members of the public, particularly in Edo State on the achievement made so far by the Special Crack Squad, and assures that adequate measures would continue to be put in place to ensure safety of lives and property, nationwide,” concluded the report